Aashiqui 2 takes you through a musical journey of two lovers who go through love and hate, twists and turbulence, success and failure in their ...

Shraddha Kapoor looks cutely into Aditya's eyes in a still from Aashiqui 2.

Shraddha Kapoor debuted in Bollywood with chick flick Luv Ka The End.

Aditya Roy Kapoor was also appreciated for his debut performance in Guzaarish.

Shraddha Kapoor and Aditya Roy Kapoor share a light moment in a still from Aashiqui 2.

The first half of 2013 has been fruitful for Bollywood. But while only a few biggies, like Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani and Race 2, earned big, a slew of smaller films went on to become box-office winners during the same period.

So be it ABCD – Any Body Can Dance, Kai Po Che, Chashme Baddoor, Aashiqui 2, Go Goa Gone, Jolly LLB or Fukrey, they have all raked in the moolah at the ticket windows.

“When audiences like a film, it becomes not just a money-spinner, but also a goodwill earner for everyone connected. It’s the audience that ultimately determines the size of the film, not producers and distributors,” asserts Fukrey co-producer Ritesh Sidhwani. “We strongly believed in the subject and we backed the film as much as we would back a big star film.”

According to experts, the clichéd line — content is king — has never been truer. “How else would you explain films by directors such as Mrighdeep Singh Lamba (Fukrey) and Remo D’Souza (ABCD)?

These films neither boasted of big-league actors nor star directors. So if they have done well, it’s purely on merit,” says exhibitor and distributor Akshaye Rathi.

Interestingly, a film like Aashiqui 2, helmed by Mohit Suri, featured newcomers Aditya Roy Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor, but still made a whopping R82 crore. “It’s a welcome sign that smaller films are also finding takers. Our industry is still star-oriented, but such instances go on to prove that quality content will also work,” says trade expert Taran Adarsh.

Interestingly, during the first six months, biggies like Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola, Yamla Pagla Deewana 2, Bombay Talkies, Nautanki Saala, Zilla Ghaziabad and Aurangzeb have failed at the box office. “Budgeting is also an important element. Since all the small films are made at a reasonable price, the recovery gets easier,” adds Rathi.